STUDY MATERIALS FOR HOLY COMMUNION

CHAPTER: 6 - SACRAMENTS (Section A)

1. Define sacraments?
   
   Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, administered through visible rites, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is given to us.
   
    
2. Name the sacraments?
   
   1. Baptism 2. Confirmation 3. Holy Eucharist 4. Penance 5. Anointing of the Sick 6. Holy Orders 7 . Matrimony
   
    
3. Which are the sacraments of Christian initiation?
   
   Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. These sacraments lay the foundation of Christian life.
   
    
4. Which sacrament is known as the ‘Sacrament of Sacraments’?
   
   The Eucharist
   
    
5. How do the sacraments of initiation affect the Christian life?
   
   The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation and nourished by Eucharist, the food of eternal life.
   
    
6. What is Baptism?
   
   Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ to forgive our original sin and other sins, if any, making us children of God, heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven and members of the Church.
   
    
7. Who can baptize?
   
   The ordinary ministers of baptism are the bishops and priests. In case of necessity any person, even some one not baptized can baptize if he/she has the required intention.
   
    
8. Is baptism necessary for salvation?
   
   Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacramental.
   
    
9. What is baptismal seal?
   
   Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark of his belonging to Christ, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship.
   
    
10. What is Confirmation?
    
    Confirmation is a sacrament by which we receive the Holy Spirit in a special way in order to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Christ.
    
     
11. Name the Sacraments which can be received only once in a life time and state why?
    
    1. Baptism
    2. Confirmation
    3. Holy Orders These sacraments can be received only once because these imprint on the soul an indelible spiritual mark or character.
    
     
12. Who are the ordinary ministers of Confirmation?
    
    Bishops and priests.
    
     
13. What is transubstantiation?
    
    By the consecration of bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ and of the whole substance of the wine into substance of his blood. This change is called transubstantiation.
    
     
14. Which are the fruits of Holy Communion?
    
    It helps us to grow in our union with Christ and liberates us from the bonds of sin. It strengthens our unity with the mystical body of Christ and also the unity of Christians.
    
     
15. What is the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist?
    
    The Sacrament of Eucharist is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine, given for our salvation and spiritual nourishment.
    
     
16. Who is the ordinary minister of Eucharist?
    
    Validly ordained priest is the ordinary minister.
    
     
17. How many times can we receive Holy Communion?
    
    The Church warmly recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion when they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.